1904-1919
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/1/8
Minutes from 21 June 1904 to 30 June 1919
of the Committee of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation
No further action with Messrs Cadbury.
Mr J Whiting declined to buy withy loppings at Eastington. Sold to Mr S R Hooper of Griffins Mills for 35s.
One of heads of top gates at Dock Lock repaired.
Letters from Mr Fredericks; Walk Bridge at Whitminster left open on two or three occasions. Police informed. Bridge could not be locked at night.
Offer of second-hand weighbridge received from Messrs Luce Young & Alpass of Berkeley. Decision not to buy it.
£150 due to Gloucestershire County Council under Section 44 of Thames & Severn Canal Trust Act 1895.
Through traffic year ending September 1915 £319 15s 5d. £349 17s 8d average of last three years. Decrease of £99 6s 5d.
Traffic 1 October 1915 to February 1916 £332 3s 11d, 1914-15 £392 16s 3d.
Police seen on subject of leaving open of Walk Bridge at Whitminster. Plates on which rollers work slightly grooved. Difficulty in closing bridge properly. Plates to be chipped and filed to level surface.
William George Bullock, foreman on mud boat now working as captain of Gas Co’s boat, would like to continue occupancy of house. Let to him £5 a year on condition he attends to locks.
Letter to be sent to Messsrs Cadbury. Invitation to send someone to negotiate terms. Chairman offered to meet them at Stroud.
Tonnage £462 2s 7d, 1915 £450 19s 2d.
Agreement with W G Bullock re cottage at Double Locks.
Messrs Cadbury did not wish to proceed further with matter.
Application for increase of wages received from John White, lock keeper at Eastington. 1s increase to 19s a week to help other canal men when required.
Page blank.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1915 £638 16s 1d. After wages, etc, balance £345 2s 5d. Dividend of 15s declared.
Reserve Fund balance £1269 19s.
Replacement of wooden frame on top of well of weighing machine rented by Mr Whiting on Company’s wharf at Eastington. Clerk to do what he thought necessary.
Draft agreement as to Telephone Exchange wire. County Council to pay half charges.
Cottage at Bristol Road occupied by Mrs Williams for many years required repairs. Clerk to do what is necessary.
Verbal request received from Mr Tudor of the Wharf House, Bristol Road for papering and painting. Committee considered he had undertaken to keep inside of premises in tenantable repair.
Mr Humphries, Mr Snape’s assistant, to receive salary increase from 7s 6d to 10s per week, in addition to 12s 6d for Thames & Severn.
Tonnage 1 April to May £92 13s, 1915 £115 11s 7d.
Framework of weighing machine at Eastington repaired.
Agreement as to Telephone Exchange wire completed.
New pair of middle gates for Double Locks at Ryeford being constructed at Company’s depot at Eastington.
Weeding of canal in hand.
Continued absence of Mr Humphries from office through illness.
Tonnage April to June £144 10s 4d, 1915 £283 13 7d, 1914 £227 12s 3d.
Application by Company for Mr P G Snape’s exemption from military service lodged with Stroud Urban District Council.
Labour dispute at Sharpness Docks. Tip used for loading of boats with coal for Stroudwater Canal stopped. Tip owned by Great Western Railway Co on Sharpness Co’s land. Dock Co in negotiation with Railway Co. Matter of great importance to Company. Mr Whittingham to communicate with Sharpness Docks Co.
Annual inspection of canal to be made by Mr Margetson and Mr Whittingham for the lower section, Mr F A Little and Mr Marling for the upper section.
Bad leak in offside wall of top lock at Dudbridge found and repaired.
Mr Humphries had resumed his duties at the Office.
Mr Skipworth Gibbons, Chairman of Thames & Severn Canal Committee of Gloucestershire County Council, enquired into joint working of office.
Mr Whittingham attended Military Tribunal at Stroud. Conditional exemption without temporal limitation granted to Mr Snape so long as he remained in his present occupation.
Reports of Annual Inspection of Canal read and discussed.
Traffic £208 14s 1d, 1915 £287 0s 7d.
Mr E P Little reported result of his inspection of Canal 20 July.
Mr Whittingham had again written to Messrs Vowles of Stonehouse Brush Works. Unduly heavy loads over swing bridge by their works. House of Lords decision in case of Sharpness New Docks Co v. Attorney General. Notice given of liability for damage to bridge or other property by them. Messrs Vowles contested liability. Meeting with Committee. Bridge when built only intended to carry carriage drive to house where Upper Mill (occupied by Mr Vowles) stands. Mr Vowles’ firm prepared to bear half expense of maintaining bridge in future. Accepted. No loads beyond 5 tons to be taken over. Matter to stand over till next Committee Meeting.
Messrs F Steel & Co’s application to take an electric power cable under canal at Ebley granted, rent £1 1s p.a. Work to satisfy Manager of Navigation as Stroud Gas Co main passes along towpath here.
Correspondence with Acting County Surveyor re placing of ashes on Dudbridge Wharf. County to pay 1½d per ton on 207 tons used by Highways Committee.
Top gates, cills, etc. fitted at Westfield Lock.
New head fixed to inside top gate at Dock Lock.
New bar fitted to inside bottom gate at Pike Lock, Eastington. Replanking of these gates and bottom gates at Dock Lock expensive so postponed.
New pair of middle gates for Double Lock ready.
Tonnage 1 April to 15 August £272 8s, 1915 £348 11s 2d.
Letter from Messrs Vowles & Sons suggested increase of limit to six tons. Payment of half upkeep for repairs from 1 September. Committee could not agree to limit of more than 5 tons.
Letter from S S Marling following report received by him from Mr Field. On 8 September he had great difficulty getting barge up canal above swing bridge from railway to Brush Works at Stonehouse. Committee resolved to let letters lie on table.
Clerk had received, from Messrs Smith Baker & Price, Messrs Smith & Sons Ltd’s cheque for £70 13s 10d as compensation re loss of licence on Ship inn premises, Wallbridge.
Application from Messrs Steel & Co for electric power cable under canal at Ebley. Agreement for wayleave rent £1 1s per annum.
Tonnage 1 April to 19 September £345 0s 6d, 1915 £437 3s 10d.
Messrs Vowles agreed to limit of weight on swing bridge at Stonehouse and to non use of traction engines. Asked permission to use motor vehicles. Agreed.
Electric Power Co had laid cable across canal at Ebley but failed to return agreement signed.
Bottom gates at Blunder Lock repaired but weak. Will need renewing before long.
£70 13s 10d from liquidator in re Smith & Sons Ltd, Brimscombe. Dividend on debt to Company.
Lionel Humphries to sign agreement but wished notice to be given by either party to be increased from one week to fortnight. Agreed.
Minute continued on page 319.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £560 13s 11d. After wages, etc, balance £375 16s 6d. Dividend of 10s declared.
Continuation from page 317
https://stroudwaterhistory.org.uk/document/6410/.
In March 1907 £46 drawn from Reserve Fund towards cost of weighbridge at Stonehouse Wharf. Rented by Messrs Dickinson & Cox at £6 per annum. Paid into Reserve Fund. Total £60. Rent in future to go to revenue.
Agreements with Messrs Vowles and Messrs Steel & Sons.
Application from four of Company’s employees for increase of wages. Advance of 3s per week. Higher cost of living. Iliff made similar application. 1s increase in wage paid by Company. Could apply to County Council for increase for Thames & Severn part of his work.
Repairs to heel and balance pole of top gates of Top Lock, Dudbridge.
Slight repairs to roof of cottage at Dudbridge.
Letter from Canal Association to say no action to be taken re proposal of Rochdale Co.
Tonnage 1 October to 14 November £98 10s, 1915 £109 7s 7d.
Messrs Vowles & Co. agreed to pay cost of repairing damage to Stonehouse Swing Bridge. Mr Matthews of Ebley’s estimate £1 17s 6d.
Deputation to Secretary of Board of Trade from Leeds & Liverpool, the Rochdale and the Bridgewater Canal Companies who were seeking financial aid from Government.
Tonnage 1 October to 19 December £152 17s 3d, 1915 £191 19s 5d.
Canal Association asked questions as to what changes war had occasioned in personnel and wages of the staff, what tonnage had been in year ending September 1916 compared with 1913, what men employed of military age and other matters.
Stroud Gas Co, tendering for supply of coke to Gloucester Wagon Works, asked what toll would be if coke sent as return load, instead of boat going back empty. 5d per ton, 7d usual toll.
Mr Humphries again requested increase in salary. Further 2s 6d per week. 12s 6d a week from Company.
Letter from Messrs Marling saying freight for coal to their Stanley Mills was now 5d per ton more than total cost of getting it by rail. No changes in rate of charges to various mills justifiable. Different boat owner might do carrying at less rate.
Repairs to wharf by Gas Works to be carried out. Hope that Gas Co would share cost.
Tonnage 1 October to 16 January £234 5s 6d, 1916 £238 12d.
Probability of Government taking over canals.
Stroud Gas Co agreed to rate of 5d per ton for coke Stroud to Gloucester in boats going back empty.
Albert Jefferies alerted to likelihood of trees on his land adjoining canal at Dudbridge falling across Company’s property. Held responsible for damage.
Severe and continued frosts caused stoppage of traffic for three weeks.
Mr Burra of Silver Trees near Stroud given permission to inspect records of canal re use of tokens in early days of Navigation.
Through traffic year ended September 1916 £270 17s 1d. £307 7s 9d average of 3 years, September 1894 £449 4s 1d. Decrease of £141 16s 4d.
Tonnage 1 October to 20 February £272 17s 4d, 1916 £351 1s 6d.
Board of Trade order to take over certain canals. A committee formed to control on their behalf canals taken over.
Mr Jefferies promised attention to trees at Downfield.
Mr Burra had arranged to inspect, on 22 March, records of T&S Canal for references re tokens issued by old Thames & Severn Canal Co.
Letter from General Manager of Rochdale Canal Co. Minister of Munitions summoned meeting of Canal Companies and Carriers to confer as to best means of making better use of canals and inland waterways of country. Mr Hawkins, Secretary of Canal Association, to act as Secretary to Committee. Paid professional charges. Cost equally divided between Companies and Carriers. Contribution of £2 2s from each. Clerk to write to Rochdale Co. Company cannot take share of expenses referred to. No voice in original application for financial assistance. Did not agree with proposal, no responsibility for what was done. Canal not taken over by Government.
Letter to Rochdale Canal Co.
Application for increased wages. Wm Iliff, wharfinger at Wallbridge granted iIncrease of 2s per week (3s to 5s). Jas Harris, tidesman at Framilode, wages increased by 2s per week and use of small paddock adjoining warehouse at Framilode granted. To cultivate same during working hours.
Men with boat, and lock keeper White, used for unloading barges. Committee recommended settlement of 25s a week each man. Men essential to working of canal and for unloading of barges. At present cannot be replaced. No other man doing this particular work on Navigation.
Mr Jefferies re trees at Downfield discussed. Nothing done yet.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1916 £553 5s 10d. After wages, etc, balance £292 8s. Dividend of 10s declared.
Reserve Fund balance £1351 2s 10d.
Re request for advance in wages, recommendation of Committee agreed to by Chairman and acted upon.
Mr Snape reported need to replace bottom gates at Blunder Lock shortly. Estimate from Mr Shipway for timber. Gates made if possible this season.
Tonnage 1 April to 15 May £105 11s 4d, 1916 £88 12s 5d.
Messrs Shipway’s estimate of £72 19s 10d for timber to replace bottom lock gates at Blunder Lock. Price for elm, 3s per cubic foot, very high. Requested to reduce this if possible.
Mr Jefferies of Ebley request for permission for his troop of boy scouts to bathe in the canal granted, provided proper arrangements made for lads to land and for due protection of banks. Payment of 10s a year, payable in advance.
Weedy condition of Navigation, exceeding difficulty of getting labour needed to keep canal in working order.
Enquiry from Coal Mines Dept requesting quantity of Staffordshire, Forest and South Wales coal passing over canal compared with prewar years. Year ended March 1913 from Staffordshire 4843 tons, Forest of Dean and South Wales 28320 tons, total 33163 tons. Year ended March 1916 from Staffordshire 4000 tons, Forest of Dean and South Wales 25612 tons, total 29612 tons.
Annual Inspection to be made by Mr Whittingham, Mr Stanley Marling, Mr F A Little, Mr E P Little, Mr Margetson.
Tonnage 1 April to 19 June £173 19s 1d, 1916 £156 16s 2d.
Mr Joseph J Shipway could not reduce price of elm timber given in estimate. Prices had advanced since. Decision to order timber at his price.
Secretary to Ebley Troop of Boy Scouts had written and telephoned accepting Company’s terms and conditions for permission to have bathing place on canal.
Reports on Annual Inspection of canal. Weeding in hand at Ryeford. Labour exceeding difficult to procure. Extra help from Mills during holiday in August. Dredging badly needed at Stonehouse Wharf to Midland Railway Bridge at Ryeford.
Messrs Little & Bloxham to act as Company’s solicitors following Whittingham’s retirement from firm.
Tonnage 17 July £241 19s 11d, 1916 £210 13s 8d.
Agreement with Mr Jefferies of Ebley re bathing place for Ebley Troop of Boy Scouts.
Canal at Stonehouse weeded again.
Excess Insurance Co. called attention to increased compensation under Act 1917 in cases of accident to employees. No additional charge to cover increased liability.
Lodgemore culvert had given way. To be repaired without delay.
Traffic 1 April to 18 September £354 5s 5d, 1916 £355 3s.
Increase in Mr Snape’s salary by 5s per week and Mr Humphries’ by 2s 6d, provided County Council do same.
Mr Snape reported that when water from Painswick Valley went down, leakage in Lodgemore culvert ceased. Nothing done.
Inspection report on canal from Mr F A Little and Mr E P Little.
Port and Transit Committee for this part of country met Chairman and Mr Snape and boat owners using canal. Offer to lend what men were required to take place of labour lost to canal by the war for working traffic and maintaining waterway accepted.
Instructions issued by Road Stone Control Committee. Highway Authorities instructed to use water borne stone in preference to that conveyed by rail.
Messrs Vowles & Sons to convey water by 2 inch pipe from canal at Stonehouse to their works. £2 p.a.
Minute continued on page 341.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £579 0s 8d. After wages, etc, balance £373 4s 9d. Dividend of 10s declared.
Reserve Fund balance £1351 2s 10d.
S S Marling, J Margetson, Wm Bloxam and A J Morton Ball to be appointed to Committee.
Continuation from page 339
https://stroudwaterhistory.org.uk/document/6424/
William Iliff, increase from 5s to 6s paid by Company. He can apply to County Council for rise re work on Thames & Severn Canal. Condition of trees on Mr Bush’s land at Eastington. Another letter to be sent to him. Danger to works of the Canal Company there. His responsibility if they fell across the canal.
Messrs S S Marling, J Margetson, Wm R Bloxam, A J Morton Ball re-elected after ceasing to be members of Committee after three consecutive absences.
Agreement with Messrs Vowles & Sons of Stonehouse.
Mr Snape met District Surveyor at Eastington Bridge. Acting County Surveyor arranging temporary repairs to surface of road there with tar patching.
Considerable dredging necessary at Stonehouse Bridge.
Men lent by Army authorities doing good work. Earning satisfactory wages.
Application for rise in wages by workmen. Decision to increase White and G Merrett to 28s per week, J Merrett to 21s, Hutchings to 35s.
Tonnage to 20 November £104 16s 6d, 1916 £108 15s 8d.
Messrs Vowles & Sons to bear whole cost of agreement.
Application for increase in salary from Mr Fredericks, joint toll clerk at junction of canal with G&B Canal at Saul. Sharpness New Docks Co to increase his salary by 5s a week, 20s to 25s with 10s per week paid by Company, making his salary 35s per week.
Mr Harris, chief toll clerk of Gloucester & Berkeley Canal telephoned to say he thought payment would be made by Government of Bonus to Owners of Barges & Boats to meet extra demands by the Captains. No owner of less than ten boats recognised but smaller owners could join together. Official stationed at Gloucester Docks Office for inquiries. General Manager in office Wednesday morning and would speak to Chairman.
Attending a meeting of Canal Control Committee in London on Tuesday.
Tonnage 1 October to 18 December £165 8s, 1916 £184 15s 2d.
Letter from Mr Manning Lewis re Mr Frederick’s salary. Rise of 2s 6d per week from 25 December.
Letter from Mr Armitage, representing Mr Arthur S Winterbotham. Small repairs needed. Leakage to be seen to. Strip on weir he objected to quite necessary. Pipes not coupled up yet. Clerk to write again for rent due 1 October 1917. Mr Winterbotham could give notice under Agreement if he wishes to be released in future.
Agreement with Mr Vowles signed. £12 due to 29 September received.
Tonnage to 15 January £211 17s 4d, 1917 £236 16s 2d.
Letter from Clerk of Severn Fishery Commissioners. Complaint of state of canal re weeds alleged to have caused a great drop in number of fishing permits issued by Board of Conservators and request for canal to be cleaned out. Consideration of fishing rights. Manager to see what could be done to improve matters. Fewer men left in district and large amount of overtime worked probably cause of less call for permits.
Letter from J Harris, tidesman at Framilode, asking for permission to do other work without the time being deducted by Company. Agreed for present as a wartime concession. Lamp and oil should be provided for use in his work on the canal. Recent high tides caused damage at outlet to Severn.
Heels of top gates at the Newtown Lock should be renewed this year.
Stroud Urban District Council applied to place facilities on towing path near their Sewage Destructor for running ashes into boats. Mr Milnes attended to explain their scheme to Chairman and Manager on the spot. £1 1s for each half year or part thereof.
Tonnage 1 October to 19 February £277 2s 7d, 1917 £274 14s 10d.
Considerable repairs carried out at pierhead and tide gate at Framilode.
Mr Snape had met Mr Milnes, Stroud Surveyor, and sanctioned what Stroud District Council proposed to do on towing path at Downfield.
Continued anxiety of Government that waterways should be made of fullest possible use to ease the railways.
Mr W G Sealey of Standish re damage sustained by his trap and harness. Horse shying when crossing swing bridge at Framilode. Company not responsible for accident.
George William Minett, employee of Company, had accident at Framilode. Reported to Accident Insurance Co.
Tonnage £357 8s 1d, 1917 £337 8s 11d.
Insurance Co granted 15s 1d a week to Minett at Framilode. No return yet to work.
J White, lock keeper at Eastington, asked for advance of 5s a week. Increase of 3s 6d, to same level as Thames & Severn Canal rate.
James Harris, tidesman at Framilode, had died. Leonard Pockett and George Cook put forward for vacant post.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1917 £568 16s 6d. After wages, etc, balance £342 9s 1d. Dividend of 10s declared.
J White, lock keeper Eastington, whose wages were raised from 28s to 31s 6d, pressed for full advance of 5s per week. Asked if he is required to work on canal away from his length. Offer of 32s a week standing wages. Rate of pay for all lock keepers and labourers.
Ground paddles of Top Lock at Eastington requiring repairs.
Tidesman at Framilode: Clerk had written to Mr Sidney Preston, Canal Control, 21 Surrey Street, Strand, re release of Pockett. In meantime services of G Cook, a captain of a barge on the canal, obtained.
Chairman to deal with S J Humphries’ application for increase in salary.
Tonnage £102 13s, 1917 £113 1s 1d.
Weeding commenced at Ocean Bridge, Stonehouse. Necessary gang of four made up by putting on a casual labourer. Whole canal needs weeding very badly. Several months to do it.
L Pockett given consent of Chairman of Control Committee for this district to be tidesman at Framilode.
White had agreed standard wage of 32s per week. Any work as required. Other lock keepers granted same wages.
Iliff, 25s a week from Thames & Severn and 6s a week from Stroudwater Navigation, applied for same advance. Thames & Severn had advanced him 2s a week. Granted 1s a week.
Armitage complained of spoil bank by Eastington being dug into and clay removed without permission and that channel from Coffin Weir to brook choked. Mr Snape to do necessary work. Mr Bloxam to confer with E P Little and draft a reply.
William Timbrell asked to have refusal of Dudbridge Wharf House. Wished to start a coal business there. Granted.
Mr Jack Margetson and Chairman to undertake Annual Inspection of lower section of canal to Stonehouse. Mr F A Little and Mr Bloxam to inspect upper section.
Tonnage £181 2s 4d, 1917 £182 12s 11d.
Canal weeded from Ocean Bridge to Ryeford. Very thick growth on bottom of canal. Whole length had to be raked before knives could be used.
Mr Bloxam had examined new Drainage Act. As now amended, interests of Navigation sufficiently protected.
Further letter to Mr Armitage re taking of clay from spoil bank at Eastington. Whenever soil was taken, surface should be made good. If legality questioned, canal authorities acting within rights.
Protection cards for lock keepers at Eastington and Dudbridge received from Canal Control Committee.
Raising tonnage rates discussed. Very greatly increased wages paid. Chairman to write to Sidney Preston.
August meeting suspended.
Tonnage £242 5s 6d, 1917 £241 4s.
No meeting in August.
Report on Annual Inspection of canal by F A Little, W R Bloxam, Jack Margetson and Chairman.
Increase in tonnage rated in Column I (coal etc.) at present more than one farthing below maximum allowed by Act 1895 so as to stand ¼ lower than maximum. In case of stone Chairman to arrange with Sir Ashton Lister a reasonable advance on rates. On merchandise passing on to Thames & Severn Canal, charge from Junction to Wallbridge 8d per ton on everything.
Mr E P Little, representative of Company on Stroud Fuel & Lighting Committee.
Manager to arrange closing of towing path to public within six years of last closing.
Serious undermining of towing path by brook at Ryeford.
Advisability of Company’s joining Scottish Railway Stockholders Protection left open.
Estimate of £2 12s 6d by Samuel Bradley of Frampton for repairing roof of shed at Framilode accepted.
Mr E F Gardom considered printed notices re Heavy Motor Car Traffic should be continued by replacing them when they disappear from weather or other cause.
Tonnage £374 10s 2d, 1917 £363 0s 7d.
Chairman’s correspondence with Sir Aston Lister, Acting County Surveyor. Through rate for stone Stroudwater Canal to T&S Canal raised from 3d to 4½d per ton. From Junction to Ryeford, Dudbridge and Wallbridge 6d to 7½d per ton.
Notices sent as to revised tolls for coal, etc.
Piling of towpath bank at Ryeford where seriously undermined. Withy stakes and bundles of withies laid in.
Ryeford Saw Mills to be reminded of responsibility for maintenance of dock wall.
Minute continued on page 363.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £603 4s 6d. After wages, etc, balance £313 0s 6d. Dividend of 10s declared.
Reserve Fund balance £1351 2s 10d.
Continuation from page 361 https://stroudwaterhistory.org.uk/document/6438/.
Accounts examined.
Mr Bloxam reported re whether Canal Company or owners of Ryeford Saw Mills were responsible for repairs of wall of lie-by there. Erected by owners of saw mills. Deeds showed no liability for owner of mills for repair of wall. Mr Snape to do work and arrange with Messrs Workman to bear part of expense.
First report of Select Committee on Transport. Inferred that Committee, having dealt only with Irish transport, would investigate possibilities of British Waterways later.
Tonnage showed very considerable percentage of increase, still very small. Balance of liabilities over assets reduced by about £980 in year. Now £3405 12s 4d.
Tonnage £108, 1917 £103 8s 2d.
Mr Snape had arranged with Messrs Workman to find one man to assist with necessary repairs to wall at Ryeford.
Chairman read extracts from second report of Royal Comission on Transport on Waterways of Kingdom. Probability of being taken in hand by Government in near future.
Messrs Rowbotham to pay 1s 6d per load of ashes hauled over Company’s property from Lodgemore Mills and to repair any damage to surface of wharf.
False decking of Gas House Bridge renewed. In course of work Hy Stephens, carpenter’s assistant, suffered disabling accident. Insurance Co notified.
Stroud Gas Co complained of rate for coke to Frampton being raised from 5d, special rate for boats returning otherwise empty, to 7¾d per ton. Charge made 6d per ton.
Application from Wm Timbrell to rent canal wharf house at Dudbridge. Manager to arrange.
Mr I J Bassett allowed to rent 50 sq yards on Stonehouse Wharf which he formerly held at £3 p.a.
Tonnage £169 9s, 1917 £164 5s 9d.
William Timbrell willing to take any of Company’s houses at Dudbridge against time when, restrictions removed, he would be able to get coal. Then prepared to rent warehouse alone, if no house available.
Mr Ira J Bassett replied to Company’s offer of 50 sq yards on Stonehouse Wharf at £3 p.a. Now wished to rent 40 sq yards for £2 10s p.a. and rent land behind, 210 sq yards, at 30s p.a. Company preferred to let 50 sq yards and let land at back as garden ground for 30s a year.
Notice of demobilisation of soldiers now lent for purpose of discharging boats, requesting they be paid off Saturday 18 January.
Mr Lambert applied to Company to repair certain interior fixtures in stable he rents of Company. Manager to call his attention to terms of lease. Tenant to execute repairs.
Tonnage £221 10s 9d, 1918 £209 16s 11d.
William Timbrell had stated, re Government restrictions as to purchase and sale of coal, his application for premises on Dudbridge Wharf had to stand over.
Ira J Bassett can go no further with his proposals re land on Stonehouse Wharf, for deposit of oil tanks and garden. Government had not released their control of oil.
Notice to be put up re days canal towing paths stopped to public, Monday 13 January – Friday 17 January.
Charles Stevens, demobilised, sought reinstatement in Company’s employ. To be reinstated in his old position as lock keeper. Present occupant of post to be put on other work.
Canal closed for five days owing to ice, ending 11 February when ice boat was run and Navigation opened.
Clerk to enquire whether Seven Fishery Board wished to continue tenancy of Fishing Rights. Lease expired 31 December.
Chairman, Mr E P Little, mentioned an invitation circular sent to some of Committee by Gloucester Incorporated Chamber of Commerce re address to be given at Guildhall, Gloucester by Mr Howard Humphreys, former Chairman of the Canal Control, Midland, Subcommittee on 18 February. No one able to attend. Clerk to thank Mr P Barrett Cooke for the invitation circular and ask for report of proceedings, if any.
Tonnage £282 11s 4d, 1918 £283 5s 1d.
Present W R Bloxam. No other members present. No meeting,
Charles Stevens, formerly lock keeper at Dudbridge released from army, reinstated in service of Company. Minett, who took Stevens’ place, retained on Navigation and allowed to remain in lock keeper’s house.
Mr Sidney Preston, Chairman of Canal Control Committee, asked if Private Pockett, acting as tidesman at Framilode, wished to continue in services of Company when demobilised. If so he should be released speedily. Affirmative.
Secretary to Severn Fishery Board asked if lower rental would be accepted on termination of present lease. Reduced to £10 for a year.
Lady Beauchamp of Ebley Court applied to use a canoe on Ebley pound of the canal. 10s a year. Further letter asking for material reduction. No less charge entertained.
Two new balance poles essential at Pike Lock. Oak, cost about £15 compared with £12 for larch, but better value. Bottom gates to be replanked.
Company’s inability to pay income or other taxes on tolls and dues received under its Act discussed. Mr Bloxam to discuss with Surveyor of Taxes.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1918 £564 0s 11d. After wages, etc, balance £194 4s 5d. Dividend of 10s declared.
Reserve Fund balance £1351 2s 10d.
Tidesman at Framilode, Private Pockett, received notice withdrawing him from Company’s service. Mr Preston, Chairman of Canal Committee, in communication with War Office.
Severn Fishery Board agreed to rent fishing rights at reduced charge of 10s for year ending 31 December.
Planking of bottom gates at the Pike Lock at Eastington requires renewal. 2 inch planking, larch, to be obtained.
Mr Colin Lambert’s application for stables and warehouse at Wallbridge to be transferred to him. Clerk to offer him premises at £7 p.a. rent and ascertain whether it was his intention to trade on canal.
Letters from Rowley Regis Granite Quarries Co. about need of an extra horse to pull their boats up the canal. Clerk to enquire extent of proposed trade and the wharves at which stone is to be discharged.
Notice received from Stroud Electric Supply Co referring to proposed power station to be erected on site near canal at Dudbridge. Position of intended buildings not shown on the plans.
Mr Sibly’s application for reduction in charge for use of canal for pleasure boats not granted.
Tonnage £99 1s 9d, 1918 £113 14s 8d.
Mr Pockett to remain in Company’s service.
Mr Colin Lambert took on stables rented by Charles Lambert. Rent increase £5 to £7 per annum.
Rowley Regis Stone Co found difficulties as to haulage. Mr Snape to do all possible to ensure continuance of traffic for road repair.
Further correspondence with Mr Sibly. Committee offered to allow him to use canal to the Junction for five boats going through the locks together. Charge only 20s for going and returning on condition he arranges for Eastington lock keeper to take charge.
Balance poles fixed to outside bottom gate at the Pike Lock and at inside bottom gate at the Dock Lock.
Head of inside top gate at Westfield Lock dangerous. New piece prepared and fixed during stoppage of three or four days 21 June – 24 June. Heel of inside bottom gate fractured below iron collar. Timber for repair ordered.
Liability for Income Tax on tolls left to Mr Bloxam to deal with.
Stroud Gas Co applied for permission to deposit ashes on land next to terminus of canal at Wallbridge.
Traffic £159 6s 6d, 1918 £183 6s 3d, 1914 £216 15s 1d.
Forthcoming sale of land adjoining canal at Whitminster. Advertisement appeared to ignore Company’s rights to banks of canal there. Solicitors for vendor admitted Company’s rights. Promised to make them known to intending purchaser.
Letter from Secretary to Dockers’ Union at Gloucester. Advisability of getting Government to take the canal under its control, as in case of G&B Canal. Mr Manning Lewis, Manager, undertook to use his good offices with Mr Sidney Preston, Chairman of Canal Control Committee on his visit to the Berkeley Canal, Wednesday 2 July. Users of Stroudwater and Thames & Severn Canal with great unanimity made strong representation to Company in favour of canal being controlled and kept available for traffic of the District Committee decided to make necessary application.
List of uses of company seal.
List of holders of keys to company seal.
